"Babes from the Woods" by Kathy Patterson

Welcome...........Here you will find Early English Wooden dolls from 1680-1780 that I reproduce. I hope you enjoy my Journey and Passion of making dolls! Come by often and see what I am working on or email me to see what is in the works here babesfromthewoods@gmail.com

Email me to see what doll I am working on!!

Don't forget to click "OLDER POSTS" at the bottom of each page to take a tour through several years of dolls that I have made.

Sunday, January 20, 2019

Since I was a child I loved dolls. Later, when I was 18 I started to collect antique dolls and left no rock unturned! When I was 21 I sold my collection and bought my first heritage stone home to restore. After restoring 12 homes, I am not moving again! Over the years I collected on and off and then took a huge interest in Antique Santas and holiday items from 1890-1910 that were made in Germany. One day, I thought that I would try making “one” santa for me………….18 years later I am still reproducing German santa candy containers and various other holiday items and loving it. Many of my pieces have been featured in Early American Life magazine for the past 13 years. Better Homes and Gardens also have done features in their hard cover books and magazines as well. Although I have no professional art background, I do have an inner passion for trying to reproduce things of days gone by. It has helped greatly to have inspiration and a push from a great friend, to encourage me to attempt these fascinating dolls and the continued support of doll lovers to get the technique figured out......and to this day I am still working on that. English wooden dolls from the 1700’s have captured my attention and tugged at my heart strings for many years. In the past year I did a lot of research and thought that I would attempt carving. Well, I still have all my fingers and I can hardly put the carving knife down. Who would have guessed? The dolls that come from my studio to you actually grew on our property, hence the name for my doll business………”Babes from the Woods”.Theses dolls are made exactly as the old ones were 300 years ago. Basswood (Linden wood) is what the English carved them from as well. The eyes are antique glass pupiless eyes just as the old ones were.These dolls are very time consuming from start to finish and each one takes on a personality as I am working them. When finished, each is named with an appropriate name for the period when they first were made in England. They are each signed and dated as well. No two are the same as they are all hand carved individually. Their costumes are typical of the period as well. They are appropriately distressed and made with old fabrics and old trims. It is my hope to bring even more attention to these amazing dolls from the 1700’s of which so few have survived. I hope that my English wooden dolls have a special place in collections and mostly in people’s hearts, just as they do in mine.It is through the kindness of a friend and admirer of my work, I was encouraged to attempt to reproduce these amazing wooden dolls of years ago.It is my honor to present to you “Babes from the Woods” by Kathy Patterson.Enjoy, and keep the sprit of the past alive.Babesfromthewoods@gmail.com

Monday, December 31, 2018

I just want to say thank you to my wonderful customers and all the interested parties that follow what I am making in the way of dolls.
Below you will see some quick photos of some recent dolls that I did not post photos of because they were either orders or the pre-sold before completed.
As I always stress, email me to see what I am working on here because quite often the dolls do not make it to my site.
Again, thank you and a Very Happy New Year
Kathy

Saturday, October 20, 2018

23" Maudie
I shall post lots of photos for you to see. All of her clothing is removable so if you like to sew this would be a perfect doll to add more to her trousseau..
Maudie is fully jointed and all hand carved. Her eyes are antique black glass.
She is wearing very early paisley fabrics. I LOVE paisley. These two really compliment each other. Under her skirt she has a very full fine wool petticoat. Her early cotton chemise is just poking out of her jacket. She comes with her sewing roll of course too.
If you have questions or would like more photos just email me:babesfromthewoods@gmail.comEnjoy!SOLD

Thursday, October 4, 2018

Ellen is 14" tall and full of attitude ..
She is a robust little lady and fully jointed. She is dressed in very fine French cotton and has a very full fine wool petticoat under her dress and a little bum roll. As you see she has a wonderful hand embroidered pocket that is a copy of an old one but in just her size.
If you have any questions or would like more photos, just email me:babesfromthewoods@gmail.com

Welcome

Then and Now.................

About Me

My name is Kathy PattersonI have been reproducing early English wooden dolls, also known as Queen Anne dolls, since early August of 2008. It is my hope that those of you who love very early wooden dolls as I do, will come back here often to see what is new. You are welcome to email me about what dolls are available for sale or to place an order: babesfromthewoods@gmail.com